Color Dare #334 With Tuesday Morning Sketch #495

There is a "pick 3 colors" (inspired by the Love of Color book) challenge for Color My Heart Color Dare #334 so I chose Lagoon, Peach and Gold.  Neutrals are free to use so I used Black and White also.  I used a Black Shin Han Touch Marker to outline the floral array before adhering it to the striped background.

I was intrigued by the current Tuesday Morning Sketch #495 and it was used as my card inspiration.

The following Close to My Heart products were used:

     Black CS

     Seasons Mix-in Patterned Papers

     Know That I Care stamps

     I Heart Us Paper

     Lagoon Ink

     Peach Ink

        Gold Shimmer Brush (4 coats)
     Black Shin Han Touch Alcohol Marker

Here is the color palette from the Color Dare challenge which is open until Thursday evening, March 28.

One of my March goals is to participate in ALL of the Heart 2 Heart challenges and this will be my third entry.  The theme is your favorite "Tools" so I will share with you that my favorite tool is my Xacto Paper Cutter.  It is a guillotine type cutter with a handy paper edge guide.  It is lightweight, travels well and makes accurate cuts. Having cut all those strips of patterned paper for the above card it was definitely a very useful tool!

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

     Crafting-With-Friends--Anything Goes

     Kitty Bee Designs--In the Garden

     Craft Rocket Designs--Flowers

There is a current promotion by Close to My Heart!  It's a "BOGO 50% off Paper Party" and you can find out about it here. (The pretty patterned paper from the above cards is available with this promotion).

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

p.s. If you like what you see on my blog please consider "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

     

Color Dare #195

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  Our challenge this week is to combine Close to My Heart colors Thistle, Pear, Crystal Blue, Lagoon and White Daisy.

My card features the "smooshing" technique.  I inked up my craft mat with all 4 colors, spritzed with water and then picked up the ink using an acetate sheet and then smooshed it down onto the paper.  I held the acetate between my fingers to limit the contact with the paper so that I could create lines of color.  Then I stamped a small flower from the Hawaiian Hibiscus stamp set in Thistle ink across the page and added some purple and clear glitter gems.  The sentiment is from the Artfully Sent Cricut collection which will be retiring soon.

Close to My Heart products used:
     White Daisy CS
     Lagoon CS
     Lagoon Ink
     Pear Ink
     Thistle Ink
     Crystal Blue Ink
     Hawaiian Hibiscus stamp
     Artfully Sent stamp
     Purple Glitter Gems
     Clear Glitter Gems (retired)

Here is the Color Dare challenge graphic with this week's challenge colors:

Now it's your turn to get creative--how will you use all and only these challenge colors?  Come check out what the rest of the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!  :) Marie

Color Dare #186 Meets Sketch Saturday #404

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post.  This week we are challenging you to use all and only the following colors:  Gypsy, Lagoon and White Daisy.

My first card features the Spring Critters frog and the original Adventures Fundamentals pattern.  This adorable stamp set also has a matching Thin Cuts dies to make it so easy to use.  I used a Q-tip and Lagoon ink to "color" the frog and an old Gypsy Alcohol Marker to outline the frog.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Lagoon CS

     White Daisy CS

     Adventures Fundamental Paper (original pattern--retired)

     Spring Critters stamps

     Spring Critters Thin Cuts

     Gypsy Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     Gypsy Alcohol Marker (retired)

     Chalk Marker (to color flowers on the lily pads)

Other products:

     tiny wiggle eyes

     Spring Fling cricut cartridge to cut lily pads

     Violet Cricut pen to outline lily pads

My card was inspired by this sketch from Sketch Saturday #404:

When I was making the frog card I originally thought I would use the Gypsy on top and Lagoon on the bottom but then I changed my mind.  I already had the pieces glued down so I decided to make a second Easter card using the Give a Lift stamp set.  

Head on over to the Color Dare blog to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     

Color Dare #182 Meets Retrosketch #203

This week's Color My Heart Color Dare challenge is a fun one--Hollyhock, Smoothie, Lagoon and White Daisy. (But then again, I think they are ALL fun!) I'm really loving the Close to My Heart February stamp of the month called Balloon Animals and used the bunny for my card.

Here's a shot from a different angle so you can see how shiny the Liquid Glass application to the bunny and Lagoon circles are:

I followed the Retrosketch #203 Sketch:

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare color graphic:

Close to My Heart products used:
     White Daisy CS
     Hollyhock CS
     Smoothie CS
     Lagoon CS
     Lagoon Ink
     Hollyhock Ink
     Smoothie Ink
     Balloon Animals stamp set
     Liquid Glass
     Color Ready Seam Binding--colored with sponge dauber and Lagoon ink
     Charming Cascades stamps
      3D Foam Tape

Other products:
     3/8" hole punch
     5/8" hole punch

Here are some other challenges that I'm entering this card into:
     A Blog Named Hero--A Bit of Sparkle
     Between the Folds--Liquid Glass
     Stampin' Royalty--Sparkle and Shine
     Heart 2 Heart Challenges--Balloon Animals

I've seen so many cute cards made with the Balloon Animals stamp set!  I've been trying to make cards featuring all of the different animals. Check out these links  Monkey, Horse.

Head on over to the Color Dare blog to be inspired by the rest of the awesome Design Team.  We would love to have you participate in the challenge by linking your card up here.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!
:) Marie

Blossom Encouragement Card for Try Stampin' on Tuesday #257

Here is a card I made using some beautiful retired paper from Close to My Heart called "Blossom".

Close to My Heart products used:

     Blossom paper (retired)

     White Daisy CS

     Lagoon CS

     Sorbet CS

     Lagoon Ink

     Words of Comfort stamp (retired)

     Art Philosophy cartridge

     Just Blooms Paradise Paper Shapes (retired)

     Bitty Brads

Other products :

     Interlocking Circles Embossing folder

     1.5" Paper Punch

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesdays #257 sketch I followed:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!
:) Marie

Use Your Stash Blog Hop--Use an Uninked Stamp

Welcome back to another Use Your Stash Blog Hop!  We are a group of Close to My Heart consultants who are trying to use up what we have.  Our theme this month is "If you stamp it, they will love it!" and we are using stamps we have not yet used or loved.   If you are coming from Michelle Loncar's blog you are on the right track.

My card features stamps from the Blossom Cardmaking Kit which I purchased several months ago but had not yet created anything with them.

I followed the Technostamper's 1st and 3rd Monday Lunchtime Sketch #363 to make this card.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Blossom Paper

     Sunset CS

     Blossom Cardmaking Kit stamps

     Sunset Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     3D Foam Tape

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

The next stop on our blog hop is Casandra Bennett's blog.  I'm sure you will love what she has to share.

Our Blog Hop Coordinator, Shirley Ross, has also asked us to share stamp storage ideas.  Here are a few pictures of my stamp organizational process but I have to admit I need more SPACE!

Some of my old Close to My Heart stamp sets (pre My Acrylix) are stored on this book shelf.  The cabinet to the left holds lots of paper and there are lots of supplies in plastic shoeboxes.

Some of my old Close to My Heart stamps (pre My Acrylix) are contained within these cabinet drawers that I purchased at IKEA about 17 years ago.  On top of the cabinet are plastic shoeboxes with CTMH My Acrylix organized alphabetically.  (My most recent acquisitions are not filed alphabetically and are stored together in a big plastic container).   There is one CTMH box labeled Christmas.  Above the cabinets and plastic shoeboxes is an old wooden casette display cabinet that is overflowing with Close to My Heart stamp pads.  (I've collected quite a few over the 18+ years I've been a consultant!)

Several years ago, my best stamping buddy Arlene, made me this binder to help me be able to see what stamps I have to choose from.  Previously I stamped all the sets in black but this summer I decided I would choose one of the newly released colors (Thistle) so I would be better able to see what the current stamp sets are.

Here is a picture of the outside of the binder that was stamped with Close to My Heart stamps:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Finding the Words with Blossom Paper for AHSC #108

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post.  My card features some new Close to My Heart items.

The Close to My Heart Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog features a beautiful new paper pack called "Blossom" and a wonderful new stamp set that features words to make dozens of greetings.  It is called "Finding the Words" and it is a very versatile stamp set.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Lagoon CS

     Blossom paper

     Art Philosophy cartridge frame cuts

     Finding the Words stamp set

     Lagoon Ink

     Sunset Ink and sponge dauber

     Teal Shimmer Trim

Here is Atlantic Hearts Sketch #108:

  

Please stop by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and check out what the rest of the Design Team has done with this sketch.  We would love to have you join us in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     

Sneak Peak--Blossom Smiles for Freshly Made Sketch #179

On April 1 Close to My Heart's new Seasonal Expression catalog will be revealed.  This card was made with two new products--Blossom paper and Smiles Begin With You.  Using the Freshly Made Sketch #179 I created this card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Blossom paper--available April 1

     Smiles Begin With You stamp--available April 1

     Lagoon CS

     Sorbet CS

     Sorbet Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     Your Own Kind of Wonderful--butterfly accent

     Copper Shimmer Trim

     Shin Han Touch Markers--Leaf Green, Turquoise and Golden Yellow

Other products:

      Wink of Stella--white (shimmer on butterfly)

This Blossom paper is my new favorite!  Isn't it just gorgeous?

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Sneak Peek for Color Dare #134

Welcome to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  This week we are inviting you to play along and use the following Close to My Heart colors:  Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Olive along with Black and White Daisy.  (If you don't have these CTMH colors yet you may substitute similar colors so don't let that stop you from joining in on the fun!)

My card features a soon to be released Hostess Rewards stamp called "Exotic Flower".  It is from the second Seasonal Expressions catalog which will be available April 1 through August 30 2015.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Cotton Candy CS

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Exotic Flower stamp

     Happy to Be You (from Seasonal Expressions 1)

     Black Ink

     Cotton Candy Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     Olive Ink

     Sponge Daubers

Other products:

      White Opal Liquid Pearls

I must admit that I was not thrilled about combining Olive with Lagoon and Cotton Candy but I really like how this card came out. 

So now it's your turn to take the Color Dare challenge--the challenge is open until Thursday, March 26 at 9PM CT.  Link up your blog post here.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie  

A Little Note for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #94

I'm excited to tell you that I've joined the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Design Team!  This is a wonderful challenge blog that I've played along with frequently and I hope you will play along with us also. Here is my first Design Team submission:

I added one more thing to this card--can you spot it?  After I finished the card I realized that I had some Aqua Dots that I put on top of the Gold Sequins.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Pacifica CS

     Lagoon CS

     White Daisy CS

     Dots Embossing Folder

     A Little Note stamp

     Holiday Tags

     Pacifica Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     Topiary Ink

     Shin Han Touch markers--Golden Yellow, Marigold and Vivid Green

     Gold Sequins

     Aqua Dots

Other products

     Ticket punch by SU

Here is the easy to use Atlantic Hearts Sketch #94 for you to follow:

Please stop and check out the fabulous projects by the Design Team.  We hope to see you in our gallery soon.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Final Post as a Sunday Stamps Designer

It has been my great pleasure to serve on the Sunday Stamps Design Team since June of 2013. Thank you, Holly, for inviting me to join you and thanks to all the other wonderful Sunday Stamps designers who inspired me so often.  I will miss being a part of this creative team.  Our last challenge for the year will last for 3 weeks:  Yellow, Teal and Brown.  

Feather cards are quite popular now so my card is following the trend.

Close To My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Chocolate CS

     Canary CS

     Lagoon CS

     Lagoon Ink

     Sponge Dauber

     Gold Metallic Writer

     Artiste Cricut cartridge to cut feathers

     Say it in Style stamp (retired)

     Paradise Assortment Baker's Twine

Other products:

    Ranger Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls spray

My inspiration came from Case This Sketch #103:

We can't wait to see what you create using these colors!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our color graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)  You have until Friday, January 2 at 6PM EST to enter this challenge.

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.  Holly, Alyson, Brenda, Steph, Angel, Leena and Kathya.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! 

:) Marie

Marble Rolled Background for Friday Mashup #180

If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare post please go here.

The Friday Mashup had an interesting link for a new technique in today's challenge post called "Marble Rolling" so I had to try it out!  It was fun and easy to do.

Close To My Heart Products used:

      Lagoon CS

      White Daisy CS

      Frosted Cardmaking Kit stamp (retired)

      Holiday Wishes stamp (retired)

      Lagoon reinker

      Lagoon Ink

      Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

Here is the Friday Mashup Sketch Graphic:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Pathfinding Cardmaking Kit Stamps for Color Dare #111

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This week we are challenging you to create using the following Close to My Heart colors:  Cranberry, Sorbet, Olive, Lagoon and Pacifica.

My card features these 5 colors and two terrific stamps from the Pathfinding Cardmaking Kit:

Close To My Heart products used:

     Lagoon CS

     White Daisy CS

     Pathfinding Cardmaking Kit

     Sorbet Ink

     Cranberry Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     Pacifica Ink

     Olive Ink

The current sketch challenge at Nacho Average Challenges #107 was the inspiration for my card:

We would love to have you play along with the Color Dare challenge!  You may substitute similar colors if you don't have these Close To My Heart colors yet and you may combine them with neutrals such as black, white, beige, greys and tans.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Color Dare #108--Flaxen, Sorbet and Lagoon

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  (You may substitute similar colors if you don't have CTMH products yet and combine them with neutrals such as black, white, colonial white, greys and tans). This week we are inviting you to combine all three of the following Close To My Heart colors:  Flaxen, Sorbet and Lagoon.

Flaxen is a brand new CTMH color. It was not one of my favorite of the 5 new colors but after working with it for this challenge I must admit that it has grown on me.  I also got to use two new stamp sets to make this card. 

Close To My Heart products used:

     Your Own Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set

     Happy Hexagons (Hostess Reward Choice)

     Flaxen CS

     Flaxen Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     Lagoon CS

     Sorbet CS

     Sorbet Ink

     Black CS

     Dots Embossing Folder

     3D Foam Tape

We hope you find time to enter our challenge this week!  You can check out Design Team entries here.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Color Dare #104--Lagoon, Honey and Ruby Birthday Card

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  There are only three Close To My Heart colors in this challenge (neutrals such as white, black, beige and greys are also allowed and if you don't have Close To My Heart colors yet you can substitute something similar).

My card features Jubilee paper--which retired today.  I cut a square of this beautiful Honey colored patterned paper and backed it with Ruby CS.  Underneath the panel is a Lagoon stripe with Paradise Assortment Bakers' Twine.  

Close To My Heart products used:

     Jubilee paper

     Ruby CS

     Lagoon CS

     Ruby Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     White Daisy CS

      Bakers' Twine Paradise Assortment

     Perfect Fit Birthday

     Red Sparkles

     3D Foam Tape

I'm also entering this into this week's Seize the Birthday challenge.

Check out what the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you. You have until Thursday, August 7 at 9 PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Honey, Lagoon and Ruby.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     .

Color Dare #101--Gypsy, Lagoon, Sunset and Pear

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare blog post!  This week we are challenging you to use all of these Close To My Heart colors:  Gypsy, Lagoon, Sunset and Pear.  (If you don't have these Close To My Heart colors yet you may substitute similar colors and you may also combine these colors with neutrals such as black, white, greys and tans.)

Close To My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Pear CS

     Sunset CS

     Lagoon Ink

     Gypsy Ink

     Wild About Love stamp set (retired)

     Comforting Thoughts stamp set

     Just Blooms flowers (retired)

     Just Blooms Paradise flowers (retired)

     Purple adhesive gems from Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit (retired)

Other products:

     Wiggle Eyes

My inspiration for this card came from the Clear It Out sketch:

I'm also entering this card into this week's Stampin' Royalty--Anything Goes challenge.

Check out what the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you: You have until Thursday, July 17 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Gypsy, Lagoon, Sunset and Pear.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     

    

Generic Golf Themed Card With Sunday Stamps Color Challenge #77

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Color Challenge post!  Hope you are ready to play along with us this fortnight.  We are featuring 3 fabulous colors as pictured in this color graphic:

Close To My Heart products used:

     Pacifica CS

     Lagoon CS

     Whisper CS

     White Daisy CS

     Lagoon Ink 

     Paradise Assortment Twine

     3D Foam Tape

     Dots Embossing Folder

     Sanding Kit

     Polysparkle Tinsel Embossing Powder (retired)

     Tee Time stamp set (retired)

     Fore stamp set (retired)

This is the Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my card:

         

I'm also entering my card into the Cuttlebug Mania--Father's Day or Masculine card and My Time To Craft--No Designer Papers (my background was created by embossing folder and sanding to reveal white core of the CS).

We can't wait to see what you create using this sketch!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our sketch graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)  You have until Friday, June 13 at 6PM EST to enter this challenge.

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.
Hayley, Joan, Brenda, Holly, Steph and Kathya.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! 

:) Marie